How to not accidently kill one of my tenants?

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How to not accidently kill one of my tenants?

Account Closed
AL · Member since 2012 · 38 posts · 6 votes

Hello,

I am trying to put in a handrail on my 1st floor steps, but stuck on one thing.

The wall appears to be plaster, with 2 sheets of plasterboard roughly 3/4inch total. Behind that directly is a cinderblock wall.

No studs.

What screws do I use to handle this so that it can withstand 200lbs of downward and outward load?

I purchased these on the right, and the handrail kit included the back on the left. 

What is the way to do this so it's 100% safe to support weight?

Thank you for your time and knowledge.

-Dan

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Jim K.
Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
4y

You're going to need a hammer drill and at least 5-inch Tapcons screws to make holes in the cinderblock. The drywall anchors you bought aren't going to do it. Drill larger holds in the handrail hardware if you need them, or use the Tapcon screws to install wood blocks (pieces of 2x4) on the wall and attach the handrail hardware to that. After that, a gorilla shouldn't be able to pull the handrail off the wall.

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  • Todd Rasmussen
    Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Account Closed

    I'd use a concrete screw fastener like Dewalt's Ultracon. They make them small enough to fit handrail hardware and long enough to get into the masonry.

    2Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    AL · Member since 2012 · 38 posts · 6 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Todd Rasmussen:

    @Account Closed

    I'd use a concrete screw fastener like Dewalt's Ultracon. They make them small enough to fit handrail hardware and long enough to get into the masonry.


     Thanks Todd - should there be some kind of anchor around the part of the screw that contacts the plasterboard though?

    0Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    You're going to need a hammer drill and at least 5-inch Tapcons screws to make holes in the cinderblock. The drywall anchors you bought aren't going to do it. Drill larger holds in the handrail hardware if you need them, or use the Tapcon screws to install wood blocks (pieces of 2x4) on the wall and attach the handrail hardware to that. After that, a gorilla shouldn't be able to pull the handrail off the wall.

    3Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    AL · Member since 2012 · 38 posts · 6 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Jim K.:

    You're going to need a hammer drill and at least 5-inch Tapcons screws to make holes in the cinderblock. The drywall anchors you bought aren't going to do it. Drill larger holds in the handrail hardware if you need them, or use the Tapcon screws to install wood blocks (pieces of 2x4) on the wall and attach the handrail hardware to that. After that, a gorilla shouldn't be able to pull the handrail off the wall.


     Thanks Jim, never thought of that idea!

    1Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Account Closed:
    Quote from @Jim K.:

    You're going to need a hammer drill and at least 5-inch Tapcons screws to make holes in the cinderblock. The drywall anchors you bought aren't going to do it. Drill larger holds in the handrail hardware if you need them, or use the Tapcon screws to install wood blocks (pieces of 2x4) on the wall and attach the handrail hardware to that. After that, a gorilla shouldn't be able to pull the handrail off the wall.


     Thanks Jim, never thought of that idea!

    I do a lot of discount work for elderly and disabled people.
    1Reply
  • Todd Rasmussen
    Rental Property Investor · Clarksville, TN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Account Closed:
    Quote from @Todd Rasmussen:

    @Account Closed

    I'd use a concrete screw fastener like Dewalt's Ultracon. They make them small enough to fit handrail hardware and long enough to get into the masonry.


     Thanks Todd - should there be some kind of anchor around the part of the screw that contacts the plasterboard though?

     @Account Closed

    I've never seen them need it. Typically those handrail bases are designed to not break through drywall, so plasterboard should handle it easy.

    1Reply
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